Annis to act to restore business confidence, tackle prices
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Jasim Uddin Haroon
President in waiting of the country's apex trade body Annisul Huq said restoring business confidence and tackling commodity price hike would be his key challenges as he takes over the helm of FBCCI today (Wednesday).
Annis made the comments after what he says a 'silent revolution' saw his panel bagging 19 out of 24 directorships in Monday's Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) elections.
The newly elected directors would hold a secret ballot today (Wednesday) in which Huq who was the leader of his panel, is the overwhelming favourites to become the president of the FBCCI for the two-year tenure of 2007-9.
"I am happy that the business community has made the right choice at a very crucial time of our economy. A silent revolution has taken place at the FBCCI," a delighted Annis told the FE Tuesday.
"The business community has put their faith in me and my equal-minded businessmen. Now we have to deliver and make the FBCCI the center of the country's all business activities," he said.
Annis, a top garment manufacturer and a former president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said he faces crucial challenges in bringing back confidence among the entrepreneurs and businessmen.
"Restoring business confidence is top of my agenda. I am planning to form a committee to prepare a comprehensive development plan in this regard. We will suggest the government to make the right decision for the sake of the economy", Annis said.
"The investment has slowed down in the recent time. We have to work hard to make sure that businessmen once again feel free to invest in the country," he said.
Annis said he would also form a multi-sector body to oversee prices of the essential commodities so that people start to trust businessmen and the commoners don't hit by unreasonable price hikes.
"The multi-sector body will have representation from the business community, think tanks and the civil societies. It will work towards easing price pressures and conceive new ideas to tackle the situation," he said
Annis said the body will regularly communicate with all stakeholders and government to help stabilise the prices of the essential commodities and lessen information gaps between the businessmen and the bureaucracy.
He said his first task would be to restructure the FBCCI secretariat so that it can cater to the 'actual need' of the trade groups and chambers.
"We want to bring dynamism in the FBCCI. It cannot be kept idle and radar-less. We want to make it effective, efficient and task-oriented," he added.
He said budget for the next fiscal year would be his main focus in the next few weeks.
"The federation plays an important role in helping the government formulate the country's annual budget. We want to put forward effective suggestions that will inject fresh momentum to the country's trade, business and investment," the would-be FBCCI president said.
President in waiting of the country's apex trade body Annisul Huq said restoring business confidence and tackling commodity price hike would be his key challenges as he takes over the helm of FBCCI today (Wednesday).
Annis made the comments after what he says a 'silent revolution' saw his panel bagging 19 out of 24 directorships in Monday's Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) elections.
The newly elected directors would hold a secret ballot today (Wednesday) in which Huq who was the leader of his panel, is the overwhelming favourites to become the president of the FBCCI for the two-year tenure of 2007-9.
"I am happy that the business community has made the right choice at a very crucial time of our economy. A silent revolution has taken place at the FBCCI," a delighted Annis told the FE Tuesday.
"The business community has put their faith in me and my equal-minded businessmen. Now we have to deliver and make the FBCCI the center of the country's all business activities," he said.
Annis, a top garment manufacturer and a former president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said he faces crucial challenges in bringing back confidence among the entrepreneurs and businessmen.
"Restoring business confidence is top of my agenda. I am planning to form a committee to prepare a comprehensive development plan in this regard. We will suggest the government to make the right decision for the sake of the economy", Annis said.
"The investment has slowed down in the recent time. We have to work hard to make sure that businessmen once again feel free to invest in the country," he said.
Annis said he would also form a multi-sector body to oversee prices of the essential commodities so that people start to trust businessmen and the commoners don't hit by unreasonable price hikes.
"The multi-sector body will have representation from the business community, think tanks and the civil societies. It will work towards easing price pressures and conceive new ideas to tackle the situation," he said
Annis said the body will regularly communicate with all stakeholders and government to help stabilise the prices of the essential commodities and lessen information gaps between the businessmen and the bureaucracy.
He said his first task would be to restructure the FBCCI secretariat so that it can cater to the 'actual need' of the trade groups and chambers.
"We want to bring dynamism in the FBCCI. It cannot be kept idle and radar-less. We want to make it effective, efficient and task-oriented," he added.
He said budget for the next fiscal year would be his main focus in the next few weeks.
"The federation plays an important role in helping the government formulate the country's annual budget. We want to put forward effective suggestions that will inject fresh momentum to the country's trade, business and investment," the would-be FBCCI president said.